Signed program from a November 4, 1960 recital by the important guitarist at the Wiener Konzerthaus. Segovia has signed in bold blue marker over the program listing, which included Baroque and modern works, such as Alexander Tansman's suite composed for Segovia. 3 pp., together with a flyer advertising Segovia's recordings on Deutsche Grammophon. Some light toning and soiling to cover; overall fine. 6 x 8.25 inches (15 x 21 cm).
Pair of rare and extraordinary autograph letters from the Austrian/American pianist, in German. To his friends Hans-Erich and Gerda Riebensahm in Berlin. Both letters signed "Ruli." From the collection of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Read More...
A previously unknown early photograph thought to be of the young Alexander Siloti. By Carl Bellach of Leipzig, stamped 1889 or 1899 lower right (seems to have been altered by hand, thus unclear), verso with the printed photography studio date of 1879. Approx. 4 x 6 inches. Irregularly trimmed, else fine. Read More...
Publicity headshot of the jazz clarinetist and Professor of Woodwinds at Berklee College of Music in Boston, who has inscribed "Thanks to my friend Perry, a true 'Bird' watcher!!!" adding an illustration of a clarinet playing two 16th notes in black marker. Surface crease to left side, else very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Original photograph of the great Hungarian-American cellist, shown playing and looking over his shoulder towards an unseen pianist. With press caption on the verso. Photographed by Phil Slattery for the Denver Post, dated September 10, 1965. Irregularly trimmed with one pencil note in the margin, a few light surface creases, otherwise in fine condition. 7.5 x 10 inches (19.2 x 25.3 cm).
Signed photograph of the great cellist, who has signed "Janos Starker / 1962" in blue pen, with handwritten blurb to verso written by Mrs. Austin J. Roberts, member of the Community Concert Association in Walla Walla, Washington, which reads "Janos Starker, one of the world's fastest rising cellists, will be soloist with the orchestra on Tuesday, March 6." Signed photographs of Starker from this period are very uncommon. Surface creases to upper left margin, else fine. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.).
Signed photograph of long-running piano duo Stecher and Horowitz. Horowitz has inscribed, "To Cozette and Austin Roberts, / with sincere good wishes- Norman Horowitz," and Stecher has added his name. Fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Stecher and Horowitz formed their duo as teenagers in 1951, and, rather remarkably, they continue to perform together today.
Six programs, including one boldly signed in crayon by the great violinist, for a 1956 concert presented by the Community Concert Association of Walla Walla, Washington. Program included performances of Sonata in G Major. Op. 78, No. 1 by Brahms, Concerto in G minor. Op. 26, No. 1 by Bruch, Sonata in F minor. Op. 80 by Prokofiev (listed as "Prokofieff"), and concluding with three shorter pieces: Kreisler's arrangement of a Rondo by Mozart, La Fontaine d'Arethuse by Szymanowski, and Wieniawski's Polonaise Brilliante in D major. Fine. 6.25 x 9.5 inches (15.9 x 24.1 cm.). Together with Typed Letter Signed written by Larry Helmer, Assistant Manager of the National Artists Corporation, written to Mrs. Austin Roberts, a member of the Community Concert Association, regarding the confirmation of the approaching concert engagement. April 9, 1956; 1 pp on A4 National Artists Corporation stationary. Fine.
An interesting grouping of items from the blind composer and pianist of Welsh origin, known for his performances of music in the Jazz and Classical traditions. Included here are two concert programs, an autographed photo, and the envelope in which the photograph and one of the programs were evidently sent. The signed photograph, an unusual shot of Templeton crouched on the ground and sorting through a shelf of LPs, is mounted to a concert program for his piano recital at Alumni Memorial Auditorium in Knoxville, TN, on Tuesday, March 13, 1945. A few handwritten annotations appear on the program, noting an encore and that "Artist + audience" began the evening with a performance of The Star Spangled Banner. Also mounted on the program are two ticket stubs. Program creased, else fine; photograph still attached to lower edge, else fine. Program is 6.4 x 9.5 inches (16.2 x 24.1 cm), photograph is 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14 x 9 cm) Read More...
Signed photograph of the Italian string trio, featuring cellist Sante Amadori, violinist Giannino Carpi, and pianist Nunzio Montanari, together with concert program for a performance in the Seattle area during the 1958–59 season. Program includes Trio in C Major. Op. 87 by Brahms, Trio in B flat Major. K. 254 by Mozart, and Trio. Op. 67 by Shostakovitch. Photograph in fine condition, 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Program in fine condition, 6.25 x 9.5 inches (15.9 x 24.1 cm.). Read More...
98.
[Instrumentalists]
[Violin Crime]. Violin Crime Scene - Original Photograph
Curious ca. 1950s photograph of an officer from the Traffic Division of the Wood County, Wisconsin Sheriff's Department examining a violin on a bed, next to a harmonica, zither and accordion. Verso blank. Fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
99.
[Conductors]
Beecham, Thomas. (1879–1961). Signed Photograph to the Box Office Treasurer of the New York Philharmonic
Signed doubleweight bust photograph of the English conductor, who has inscribed to the Box Office Treasurer of the New York Philharmonic, "To Mr. Edward Hochner / Sincerely / Thomas Beecham." Very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Paris: [By the Author]. 1955. First. Self-published facsimile score inscribed on the front cover to the important French conductor (translated from the French), "To my dear grand master / Pierre Monteux / with all my gratitude at having been played by him when I was ignored. / Sincerely and affectionately / Marius Casadesus / 10 June 1955." Upright folio. 44 pp. Light toning to cover, else fine. 11 x 15 inches (27.9 x 38.1 cm.). Read More...
101.
[Conductors]
Gui, Vittorio. (1885–1975). "Finally, this blessed, difficult, and incomplete speech is finished" - Typed Letter Signed
Lengthy and amusing in its over-the-top style TLS from the Italian conductor to Professor Irma Antonetto of the Associazione Culturale Italiana, attempting to schedule an upcoming speaking engagement around his considerable commitments. 23 IX 1952 (23 September 1952); 2 pp., on Villa S. Maurizio/ Fiesole (Firenze) stationary. [Translated from Italian] "Dear Signorina,/ Here in Fiesole, where I have finally returned after a long absence, I have received your letter. The lecture on Dante and the music is written... it is already something; I don't even know how this miracle happened, because among other things, while I was resting, after 10 months of work in every part of Europe, I had to take a plane and fly to Edinburgh to replace my colleague Ansermet who was suddenly ill and conduct two more concerts... Finally, this blessed, difficult, and incomplete speech is finished. When can we hear it and make it heard? For the Turinese, I think the only possibility is the week in which I will be there to conduct Cesar Franck's Beatitudes; the concert falls exactly on March 13, and of course I will be in Turin one day before for rehearsals; it could perhaps be done on the 14th, because I must immediately leave for London where I am expected for concerts and records. In order for you to have an idea of how overworked I am and not to have the impression that there is ill will on my part, I am writing my work plan to you from now until August 1953. From 23 Sept. to 7 October I am recording 4 concerts for Rai here in Florence; then in Naples where I have a concert at San Carlo on the 19th. Immediately after that, I go to London where until 23rd November I have six concerts at the BBC, five in Manchester, and Norma performances at Covent Garden in London. I have time to catch a plane to be in Rome for the opera season I am opening, and I stay there until 28 Dec. I leave immediately for Venice where I will direct the Fenice until February 15th; from there I go to Vienna until the end of the month; on 7 March I go to Milan, on 8th March I am in Turin where - as I said - I can stay until the 14th to immediately return to London where I stay until the end of March; I return to Rome for the concerts at the Theater / Argentina and then I have three operas to direct for Rai in Milan; in Florence until 20 May, then back to England for the opera season until 15 July; I hope to have a few days off then, before I return in mid-August to Edinburgh for the festival, where I am conducting some performances of Cinderella at the King's theater and three concerts at Usher Hall. Do you think that's enough? God will give me the strength to get to the bottom; but I'm not going to tell you how many other offers I have refused, from tours in North America to Canada to Australia, to many small things in Italy, like Genoa, Naples, Bari, etc, etc. Could we consider having me read the speech myself in Turin, and having it read by a different speaker in other cities? It is an idea like any other. Think about it./ I greet you distinctly/ [Signature]." Expected mailing folds, two holes to left margin, else fine. 8.5 x 10.5 inches (21.6 x 26.7 cm.). Read More...
102.
[Conductors]
Klemperer, Otto. (1885–1973). Signed Photograph to the Box Office Treasurer of the New York Philharmonic
Signed doubleweight Murillo Studio of Los Angeles photograph of the German-born conductor who has inscribed to the Box Office Treasurer of the New York Philharmonic, "To Mr. Hochner / cordially / Otto Klemperer / 28.1.35 / New York." Raised photographer's stamp lower right, in very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). A better signed Klemperer photograph we have not encountered!
Signed photograph of the conductor, inscribed: "To Mr. Lawrence L. Davis with thanks for his hospitality to us. / Erich Leinsdorf." Rippling to lower edge, small tear and crease to upper margin, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.32 x 25.4 cm.).
Larry Davis was the auditorium manager at Indiana University, where he had the opportunity to meet, and collect autographs from, numerous great performers.
Germany: Universal-Edition. 1939. First. Printed piano-vocal score inscribed on title page to the important French conductor, "À mon grand ami / Pierre Monteux / Amsterdam 18 October 1939 / Rudi M." 4to. [PN] U. E. 11.090. 56 pp. Occasional pencil marks throughout in English in an unknown hand, some separation between wrapper along inside spine, else in fine condition. 9.25 x 12.25 inches (23.5 x 31.1 cm.). From the collection of Pierre Monteux, an extraordinary association copy linking two of the most important conductors of the twentieth century. Read More...
Interesting grouping of six letters by noted conductors and composers, most addressed to Doris, wife of conductor Pierre Monteux, and regarding her formation of the Pierre Monteux Memorial Foundation. Two typed letters signed are from Eugene Ormandy, one addressed to Monteux's daughter Nancy (December 5, 1940, 1 p. on personal stationary), the other to "Mrs. Pierre Monteux" (June of 1970, 1 p. on A4 Philadelphia Orchestra Association stationary). Three letters date to the months immediately following Monteux's death, including a touching autographed letter signed from Bruno Zirato (2 pp. on personal stationary, July 6, 1964) to Doris dated only five days after his passing, reading in part "[t]here is no 'pen' in this world that could ever write satisfactorily + adequately of our beloved maestro!," and a pair of TLS dated to early November in the same year, one from Rudolf Bing, general manager of the Metropolitan Opera (1 p. on Met stationary) and the other from Meredith Willson, composer of The Music Man, regarding sponsorship of the Pierre Monteux Memorial Foundation. Willson's letter (1 p. on personal stationary, with original transmissal envelope) reads in part "[y]our letter reawakened many warm memories of my San Francisco days when I was privileged to know you and the peerless Monteux." The final letter is a TLS (December 18, 1973; 1 p.) from prominent opera conductor Thomas Schippers. All in fine condition. Read More...
Signed photograph of the German conductor, taken during his tenure with the NDR Symphony Orchestra of Hamburg, inscribed: "For my friend Larry Davis/ Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt/ 28.1.63". Conductor's name in pen to the lower margin in another hand. Surface crease to lower left corner, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.32 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Signed photograph of the American conductor, inscribed: "To Larry Davis— With deepest / deepest thanks for / his friendliness and / helpfulness at I.U. / Robert Shaw." The photograph has been dated "Mar. 11, 1959" in ink to lower margin. Mounting remnants to rear, else in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.32 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...